Water on Hajj

The faithful on Hajj were faced with hundreds of miles of inhospitable desert on the path to Mecca where water could not be taken for granted. In his journal, Ibn Jubayr recounts in great detail his journey, paying special attention to each precious water source: from how it must be reached, to the quantity, to its flavor. His interest spread to water distribution within larger cities and those fortunate enough to thrive in fertile areas. Through his diary and supporting information from a collection of sources, his journey from Alexandria to Acre has been traced via water presence, illustrating how travelers and city dwellers coped with the unforgiving landscape. To navigate this exhibit, drag the timeline to reveal new stops along Ibn Jubayr's journey. Click on the points and items in the sidebar to learn about these locations.